Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park in Ocean County, New Jersey, is approximately three miles south of Seaside Heights. Dogs are welcome at the park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. Your dog is not permitted on the park's Spizzle Creek Bird Blind Trail at any time, or on the swimming beach during the summer. Pet-friendly lodging is scarce in the Seaside Park area. Travelers can choose from several options within a short drive of Island Beach State Park.

Aquarius Arms Motel

The closest pet-friendly lodging option is the Aquarius Arms Motel (aquariusarmsmotel.com), three miles north of the park in Seaside Heights. The motel welcomes pets, but requires a refundable deposit for each pet upon check-in. Deposits are refunded when you check out, unless there is any pet-related damage in the room. Pets are allowed in standard guest rooms and the motel's efficiency apartments. All accommodations feature individual climate control, cable television, wireless Internet service and free parking.

Howard Johnson Hotel of Toms River

Another option, slightly farther away, is the Howard Johnson Hotel of Toms River (hojo.com), nine miles northwest of the park in the historic town of Toms River. The hotel allows pets in smoking rooms only and charges an additional nonrefundable nightly fee for each pet. Hotel amenities include a heated indoor swimming pool, free wireless Internet service and a free Continental breakfast buffet. The hotel also features an on-site bar and grille with periodic live entertainment, and a large parking lot with adequate space for trucks and RVs.

Quality Inn Toms River

The pet-friendly Quality Inn Toms River (qualityinn.com) is also in Toms River, slightly farther away. It is 11.5 miles from the park, near Jackson Premium Outlets Mall. The hotel allows a maximum of two pets, weighing up to 100 pounds, in each room. The hotel charges an additional nightly fee for each pet. The inn's amenities include an on-site restaurant, free daily newspaper and a free hot breakfast buffet.

Campgrounds

Campers need to drive at least 40 minutes from the park to find a pet-friendly campground. The closest campground to Island Beach State Park is Tip Tam Camping Resort (tiptam.com), 22 miles northwest of the park in Jackson. Campground amenities include free premium cable, free wireless Internet, two swimming pools, restrooms, laundry facilities, outdoor activities and a camp store. Dogs are allowed for no additional fee. Owners must clean up after pets and keep them on a leash while outdoors. Another option is Sea Pirate Campground (sea-pirate.com), 36 miles south of the park in West Creek. The campground allows a maximum of two dogs at each campsite for no additional charge. One pet is permitted in the campground's cabins for an additional security deposit and nightly charge. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times while outdoors.

About the Author

Caryn Anderson combines extensive behind-the-scenes writing experience with her passion for all things food, fashion, garden and travel. Bitten by the travel bug at the age of 15 after a trip to Europe, Anderson fostered her love of style and fashion while living in New York City and earning her degree at New York University.